What's more, strikes from Jamie Vardy and Demarai Gray condemned the Toffees to a repeat of one of the darkest years in recent club history.

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Everton have now conceded 20 goals in their opening 10 games, a record which is their worst since the start of the 1994-95 season.

It bears remembering that in that campaign Everton also lost their manager early, Mike Walker getting the sack after going winless in his first 12 games.

There was some cheer for Toffees fans, however, as the ship was eventually steadied and the season capped by victory in the FA Cup final over Manchester United courtesy of Paul Rideout's solitary goal.